The Denver Nuggets are the reigning NBA champs, and they got to the mountaintop thanks chiefly to the talents of superstar center Nikola Jokic and hot-shot guard Jamal Murray.
Most of the credit has gone to those two players, and deservedly so. But the Nuggets had a very balanced team that included forwards Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon, as well as former Los Angeles Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Off the bench, another key member was wing Bruce Brown, who was a valuable Swiss Army knife for them. But he left the team a few weeks ago after signing a lucrative contract with the Indiana Pacers.
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, who struggled in the Western Conference Finals versus Denver, told Patrick Beverley on “The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone” that the world champs will miss Brown.
Via Lakers Nation:
“Losing Bruce Brown hurt them, losing Bruce Brown hurt them though. Nah, he [Christian Braun] solid, but Bruce Brown is like unpredictable bro. He could go 3-of-5 from the 3, play point guard, get you in the bonus, shoot 10-12 free throws. He’s just a problem, I think. I think any team that wants and appreciates him, he’s only going to get better, respect.”
Many are still picking the Nuggets to win another Larry O’Brien Trophy this coming season even though their bench looks rather weak without Brown.
